At Collision this year, the Federation of Black Canadians (FBC) proudly collaborated with our fellow Black-led and Black-serving organizations to bring “The Black Innovation Zone” to the conference for the first time. Our participation highlighted the incredible achievements of the startups and entrepreneurs who have benefited from our Black Entrepreneurship Program (BEP). These inspiring individuals shared their experiences as emerging entrepreneurs in the Canadian corporate market, highlighting how the BEP provided them with the necessary resources, tools, and skills to succeed. Discover more about these outstanding businesses below!
Beauty Braids and Beyond
Founders: Tosin During, Rochelle Smith, and Jada White
About the Business:
“We are three Black women who met during our undergraduate studies. Our collective experiences fueled our passions to consistently advocate and amplify the voices of Black men and women in any capacity we could. We felt the need to continue sharing our passion with society and thus, Beauty Braids & Beyond was born.
Beauty Braids and Beyond is the platform we have created to share our love for Black beauty. We have decided to create a brand and space dedicated to our community, as our hair, skin, and beauty needs are unique to our identity. We believe that our company will fill a void in the current beauty industry market.”
For more information about them and their products visit Beauty Braids and Beyond.
Erica Tiwaa Agency
Founder: Erica Effah
About the Business:
“From strategy to execution, we’re your go-to experts to help you structure your content pipeline, increase your reach, and build an authentic community. Utilizing a data-driven approach, we elevate online presence through social media management, content creation, and search engine optimization (SEO).”
For more information or to book a discovery call visit Erica Tiwaa Agency.
The Abibiman Project
Founder: Rachel Adjei
About the Business:
“This is an educational food concept focused on celebrating the diverse cultures and cuisines from the African continent and Black diaspora. It also highlights the racial injustices faced by the Black community and offers support to those in need. We are a non-profit, and keeping waste low is of great importance to us. There is a vast variety of food offered, from sweets to spices to teas to chocolate, as well as vegan options.”
For more information visit The Abibiman Project.
Ekogenie
Founder: Munachi Ernest-eze
About the Business:
“Canada’s first inclusive AI-powered voice agent with ‘human-like’ interaction. From streamlining complex sales outreach and customer interactions to powering robotic systems, Ekogenie adapts to a spectrum of voice-driven tasks with ease and intelligence.”
For more information or to book a demo visit Ekogenie.
Owambe Technologies
Founder: Feyisayo Enuiyin
About the Business:
“At Owambe, we champion the power of connections, recognizing that staying linked should be a seamless experience. Our app empowers you with the tools to effortlessly plan with others, streamlining gatherings without any hassle.
Our success at Owambe is driven by a dynamic team united by a passion for redefining how social hangouts are organized. From skilled developers shaping our innovative app to creative minds enhancing user experience, each team member contributes a unique set of skills. We believe in the power of technology to simplify and enrich real-world relationships. With a collaborative spirit, open communication, and a commitment to excellence, the Owambe Team is dedicated to making the planning of social hangouts effortless and enjoyable. Join us as we bring people closer, one outing at a time.”
For more information visit Owambe Technologies.
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These five startups exemplify the innovation, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit of the Black community in Canada. Through platforms like Collision and the support of initiatives like the Black Entrepreneurship Program, we continue to witness the remarkable achievements of Black entrepreneurs. We look forward to seeing their continued growth and success in the future.
About Our Black Entrepreneurship Program
The Black Entrepreneurship Program (BEP) by the Federation of Black Canadians offers free virtual training and mentorship for Black youth (ages 16-29) in Ontario, Alberta, and Quebec. Participants engage in a 4-month entrepreneurship training covering essential business skills, a mentorship with Black community leaders, and a pitch competition with prizes up to $5,000. The program fosters collaboration, creativity, and business development among young Black entrepreneurs.
Our French and English speaking next cohort applications are NOW OPEN!
For more information, visit the BEP Program page. If you feel inspired by these stories and want to embark on your entrepreneurial journey, we encourage you to sign up and take advantage of this incredible opportunity.
